KNUTSFORD needed less than an hour to make sure they would celebrate a first victory of the Cheshire League campaign when Daten visited on Tuesday.

They led 4-0 by the break and did not look back from the moment Milan Thompson lifted a perfectly-executed lob over the goalkeeper inside five minutes.

He had another effort cleared off the line before Reds doubled their lead midway through the opening period when Tom Rutter reacted sharply to George Riley's long-range effort being parried and chipped the ball over retreating defenders.

And the front man finished impressively again on 38 minutes after Brad West's pass sent him clear.

Mark Evans' left-footed attempt prompted the away side's goalkeeper to save but he could not keep out Riley's low effort in the moments before half-time.

Knutsford had conceded a stoppage-time equaliser during a draw with Lostock Gralam last Saturday and they were sloppy at the start of the second-half when a Daten substitute punished a defensive error.

However Jordan Gunter's men responded in exactly the right way when Thompson cut inside from the right before shooting with power into the top corner on 55 minutes.

West's free-kick picked out Evans and his drive flashed past a post.

The same player was also denied by Daten's number one after Michael Cartner had raided on the left.

Rutter and Thompson were both withdrawn but there was still time for replacement Bradley Williams to shoot weakly before West blasted high.

A trip to Eagle Sports awaits on Saturday.

Knutsford | Spencer (GK), Wilbraham (Wynne 71), Cartner, Maunder, Mountney, Brotherton, Riley, Evans, West, Rutter (Williams 71), Thompson (Beattie 62) Sub not used Spilsbury